Chemical ecology and pest management: A review

Abstract

The origin of chemical ecology started from its first identification of an insect sex pheromone nearly fifty years ago. From commercial point of view, the most valuable contribution of chemical ecology remains the insect sex pheromones and their role in pest management. However, the progress of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is escalating since many problems appeared with the use of synthetic pesticides. Semiochemicals are informative molecules used in insect-insect or plant-insect interactions are more and more considered within IPM strategies as alternative or complementary approach to insecticide treatments. In fact, these species-specific compounds do not have any adversely affectation of beneficial organisms and do not generate any threat to resistance against insect pest as detected with insecticides. Since their complex biological activity, their dispersion in the environment to be protected or monitored needs the elaboration of slow-release mechanisms certifying a controlled release of the biologically active volatile composites. Hence, the IPM strategy of applying all the available control measures with thoughtful intent to protect the significance of each will be necessary. Semiochemicals, and particularly insect sex pheromones, are very useful part of detection, monitoring, and control programs for agricultural crops.